These laws guaranteed the freedom of every citizen of Athens , and in a poem commemorating this radical move he said: ” I wrote down laws alike for base and noble, fitting straight judgement to each ”.

His disliked of the greed and pride of the Athenian rich recurs throughout his poetry; some of the lower classes had expected him to be seen even more radical and were disappointed with his new laws.

It seems that the reality of office has forced him to compromise. Nevertheless, his social reforms are now known as the “Seisachtheia”, “the shaking off burdens”. Possibly the most welcome is the abolition of the system whereby a man and his family could fall into slavery through the nonpayment of debts or mortages.

Solon has also reorganized the distribution of political power, taking it from the old aristocracy and dividing it between four new property-owning classes according to the yields from their lands.

Actual power now resides in the first three of these classes, “the choice of the gods”, who fill the public posts either by election or by casting lots. But even the lowest class, the “thetes” are admitted to judicial tribunals and Assembly.

They take part in the appointment of magistrates and members of the council. Foreigners are also granted civil rights. These laws can be read by everybody. They are written on wooden tablets set in rotated four-sided frames.

It is said that Solon has brought democracy to Athens . There remain, however, two classes who are still denied any part in the political process and have no control over their lives. These are the slaves and the women of Athens . [Back to History]